Astro Imp

I started this hobby with a Newtonian on an equatorial mount. Although I had a lot of fun this combination is an exercise in frustration. IMO an equatorial mount is only needed for imaging. Dr Strange above has written what I consider a post of which you should take note. BTW welcome and enjoy the hobby.

Super sharp capture, well done. I have to say for my taste the contrast is a bit high, but hey what do I know.

Amazon stock it, I've just ordered a copy - £25.

Don't worry Mike, there wouldn't be much to see in the dark.

I was recently recommended this from my local librarian. GOTO Telescopes Under Surburban Skies Author:- Neale Monks This one in the series of Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy. Published by Springer ISBN 978-1-4419-6850-0 For those of us who start an observing session and after the first few targets run out of ideas this is a really helpful guide. The book is arranged by season and is written assuming an 8" SCT is used although comments when smaller scopes will suffice are included. There are no star charts or "star hops" as the use of GOTO is taken for granted. Each season starts with brief descriptions of "show piece" objects followed by more challenging deep sky objects and finishing with interesting, colourful and binary stars. The winter section contains 77 DSO and 28 stars. Advice on what filter, if any, for the object under discussion is included. To make it easy and to save having to jump around various menus in the handset all DSOs are referred to by their NGC numbers although where appropriate Messier numbers are also noted. The stars are given their SAO numbers and also their common name when there is one and the Bayer designation. There are some sketches of what to expect but these are produced from Starry Night Pro rather than real eye piece drawings. Although like most observing guides there are a number of objects which are difficult/impossible for us in the higher latitudes there are still plenty of targets to keep us observing for many evenings. Certainly for me I find this a helpful book which will help in compiling observing lists, when we get the opportunity to get out under the night skies.

Where in the UK are you based? I ask as there is the Practical Astronomy Show at Kettering this coming Saturday (9th March). If you can attend (it's free admittance) you will be able to see and talk to most of the well renowned UK suppliers. Good luck.

For me a RACI on its own is very frustrating, some sort of red dot finder to get in the right ball park is an essential.

Although I lived through the Apollo missions and vividly recall waiting for Apollo 8 to make contact after it's first disappearance behind the moon at Christmas 1968 I was never in a position to own any equipment 'til relatively recently. Reading the thoughts of the experienced and knowledgeable members I have found interesting and enlightening. Thank you to all who have contributed.

Just realised the Skywatcher synscan hand controller isn't very consistent when entering objects by number in the various catalogues. Whereas the deep sky catalogues don't require a leading zero as place holder, ie M35 just enter 35 in the Messier list the SAO catalogue requires a leading zero, ie for SAO 44317 you need to enter 0443 to start and then press enter to scroll to 044317. Hope this help others who have had problems as the user manual makes no mention of this little quirk.

Just returned from RVO and asked Adam to check the rings. Just as well, they're slipping so is arranging replacements. Should be here by weekend.

I seem to remember reading a couple of weeks ago somebody else had this problem with a scope purchased from RVO. The good folk there arranged for replacement rings, apparently it's a known issue. I shall be picking my scope up tomorrow and will get Ian at RVO to check before bringing it home.

Sorry to read of your problems. Have you spoken with FLO? They may have some suggestions. Hope you can get sorted.

The 200p GOTO has a 2" focuser together with 1.25" adaptor so all eyepieces will fit.

I'm pleased to see you write this, I completely concur, having GOTO has completely changed my observing and made my nights under the stars far more enjoyable. I realise this is a personal preference but one size doesn't fit all.

@Hamey, I'm pleased you started this thread, I have the Esprit on order and you've saved me making an error. Thanks.

Great you've got sorted. Tell us all how you get on, any problems with set up you know where to come. Good luck.

Good morning and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear of your problems and am afraid I can't help but there are very knowledgeable members on the forum, I am sure one will help you. Good luck. By the way your post is easily understandable, no problems with your language skills.

So pleased for you, being able to see properly is something we all take for granted until things start to go wrong. Like several posters above I've been told eventually I'll need an operation. At my last eye test I asked the optician to speculate how long before he would recommend the operation and was told at least five years. I don't notice a problem at present.

Nice observing report and a good sketch, well done.

Hi Spencer, Good start to your astronomy journey. What you thought was the Pleiades I think is a hint of the double cluster. Good luck for the future.

^^^^^ Great post Alan, concise, comprehensive and informative. Should be read by anyone thinking of buying a first scope. Mods. Worthy of a sticky?

Obviously I'm not aware of the car you have but in most cars transporting a dob isn't a problem. Wrap the tube in an old blanket/duvet or similar and wedge it securely in the boot/on the back seat, the base will sit comfortably on the front seat with seat belt holding it securely. You don't need a platform for an 6"/8" Dob but if you are observing on wet grass an old piece of plastic like a bin liner will keep the damp away. FWIW my previous car was a Peugeot 207 and my 8" Dob travelled happily with the tube in the boot and the base on the back seat.

I'm aware there will be different views on this but for visual astronomy I would steer well away from a Newtonian on an equatorial mount. The first scope you link to was what I started with, would I start with this again - no!!! The scope itself is capable of giving good views of plenty of objects, I enjoyed the views but not the faffing about with the mount. Let me explain, an equatorial mount is designed so the mount points to the celestial pole, for us in the northern hemisphere that's the north pole. When an object is in view as it moves across the sky only the right ascension axes needs to be moved to keep the object in view. Sounds great - yes!!! The drawback is the optical tube rotates to get the object initially in view, the result is the eyepiece gets in positions where it is difficult/impossible to see through without rotating the tube in the rings. To me an equatorial mount is only needed for astro photography. As I say this is just my view, others may/will disagree. Good luck.

I also took Flamstead P to be the large broken structure, the Virtual Moon Atlas appears to agree.

Stu would it be useful to make the documents a sticky? If not they will eventually be buried deep in the forum.